Safety Tips

Personal Safety Considerations

Personal safety and security are the responsibility of each individual. Anyone seeking
to do harm will look for opportunities that make the crime easy to commit. The best
means of prevention is to remove or reduce the opportunity.

Protecting Yourself: On Campus

If possible, travel to and from campus with other people.

Park in areas that are patrolled and well-lighted. Keep all valuables in the car out
of sight.

Avoid using isolated stairwells in buildings.

If a suspicious looking person follows you, go to a well-populated area and notify
Security.

If a suspicious looking person follows you into an elevator or restroom, step out
of the elevator/restroom immediately.

Maintain constant possession of your valuables, such as keys, purse, wallet. Lock
them in desk drawers or other secured areas, if possible. Do not carry more cash than
necessary and limit the other valuables you bring to campus. If you lose something,
contact Lost and Found (Office of Student Life, Brier 252, ext. 1581).

Know your instructors and people in your classes.

Do not advertise your vacation plans, times you will be away from home, or how much
cash you are carrying.

If you are working late or odd hours, notify Security so that someone can check on
you periodically. Security will also provide an escort to your car.

Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Report all suspicious activities and individuals
to Security.

Reporting Crime on Campus

Report all crime to Campus Security even if it was only an attempt. (Call 425.754.0154,
use a yellow emergency box, or call x1501.) Crime cannot be controlled and prevented
if it is not reported. By reporting crimes and suspicious activities, you can protect
yourself and others. Prompt reporting greatly improves the ability of Campus Security
to resolve the incident. Call Campus Security if:

Someone is injured or ill;

You see fire or smell smoke;

You see anything suspicious;

Someone is hurting another person;

You see someone stealing something;

You have something stolen;

You see someone forcing entry into a building or vehicle;

You see anything that may be an unsafe or hazardous situation;

You observe suspicious behavior, or;

You need assistance or would like an escort to your car at night.

Security officers will respond to all reports of emergencies, crime and or criminal
activity. Officers will complete an “Incident Report” for any reported crime which
occurred on Edmonds Community College property. Reports are confidential within the
guidelines established by the General Education Provisions Act and the Campus Security
Act. Some reports may be made available to assist the complainant to file an insurance
claim.

If it is an emergency, 911 should also be notified. Emergency calls involve crimes
in progress, offender still at the scene of the crime, and accidents involving injuries.
(From a campus phone you must dial 9-911.)

When reporting the crime, remember to remain calm, speak clearly, explain why you
are calling, give the exact location of the situation, and stay on the line until
the operator ends the call.

Protecting Yourself: Public Transportation

Locate convenient, well-lighted, frequently used bus stops.

Check schedules in advance and avoid waiting alone at bus stops.

When you board the bus, sit near the driver.

If you are verbally or physically harassed, report the incident to the driver immediately.

Be aware of who gets off the bus with you. If you think you are being followed, walk
to a place where there are other people for assistance.

Protecting Yourself: Outdoor Activities

When walking, jogging, biking, roller-blading, or participating in other outdoor activities,
observe the following:

Choose a route that is safe and populated.

Bring a friend if possible.

Always carry proper identification.

Advise a friend of the route you will be taking so they will know where to look for
you in an emergency.

Vary your route and schedule so that your behavior is not predictable.

Avoid outdoor activities after dark.

Keep your equipment in good repair and carry repair tools.

Consider carrying a personal alarm.

If You Are Attacked:

Be physically and psychologically prepared to defend yourself. Prepare an inventory
of your personal skills in a confrontation: Do you fight, run, cry, freeze? By preparing,
you will have more options in a confrontation.

Every confrontation is different. The best response depends on many factors, such
as the location of the incident, characteristics of the assailant, the presence of
weapons, your own personal skills, and attitude.

When faced with danger, trust yourself. Stay calm, think rationally, find a way to
escape.

The following strategies may be effective: nonresistance, negotiating, stalling for
time, distracting or diverting the assailant and fleeing, verbal assertiveness, screaming
or using a personal alarm, physically resisting or fighting off the assailant.

Never give up. If the first strategy does not work or the situation changes, try another
strategy.

Observe as much as you can about the physical characteristics, clothing, and behavior
of the assailant. This information will be important in the police investigation.